Teacher Accused of Unlawful Sex With a Minor

YUCCA VALLEY: On Friday, January 31, 2014, the Morongo Basin Unified School District contacted the Yucca Valley Police Department reference allegations of a possible inappropriate relationship between a teacher at Yucca Valley High School and a 17-year-old female student at the high school.

33-year-old Zachary James Miller, a resident of Yucca Valley was immediately placed on administrative leave by the school district while detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the juvenile officer assigned to Yucca Valley conducted an investigation. The report was forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office this week.

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, a warrant for Millers arrest was issued by Judge Rodney Cortez of the Joshua Tree Superior Court.

The complaint alleges three felony counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and three felony counts of Oral Copulation with a Minor with bail set at $225,000.00.

Since the incident was first reported the Morongo Basin Unified School District, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Yucca Valley Police Department, and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office have worked cooperatively ensuring a thorough and fair investigation.

Ensuring a safe environment for the students at Yucca Valley High School is the top priority for the school district and the Sheriff’s Deparment.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Shaunna Ables or Detective Heidi Hague at the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station (760) 366-4175. Persons wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to contact We-Tip at (800) 78-CRIME or via the We-Tip website at wetip.com.